pettifog
English
Alternative forms
pettyfog, petty-fog
Etymology
Back-formation from pettifogger.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɛt.iˌfɒɡ/
Verb
pettifog (third-person singular simple present pettifogs, present participle pettifogging, simple past and past participle pettifogged)
- To quibble over trivial matters; nitpick.
- Don't pettifog or we will soon grow weary.
- 1959, Walt Kelly, Pogo, April 24 comic strip (→ISBN, p. 35):
- [Deacon Mushrat to Pogo:] The Machiavellian barratry of a pettifogging public has maundered into do-nothingism.
- To do a petty business as a lawyer, or carry out law business in a petty or tricky way.
- S. Butler
- He is a common barreter for his pleasure, that takes no money, but pettifogs gratis.
- S. Butler
Synonyms
- See Thesaurus:squabble
Related terms
- pettifogger